Whenever I travel in Europe I am always amazed by the extremely high percentage of Europeans that smoke cigarettes. This seems strange to me considering that people in Europe tend to be better educated and more affluent that people in many other parts of the world. I would think that the more educated and affluent a person is the less likely they would be to smoke. But this is clearly not the case in Europe.

A couple explanations I thought of Herd behavior (people in Europe smoke because everyone else does), Europeans do not care as much about their health, they are more concerned with enjoying themselves than living a long healthy life.

If you have any opinion or insights into why such a high percentage of Europeans smoke please let me know your thoughts. 02 06 2009, 06 20 AM pigeonhole 3,558 posts, read 4,391,326 times Reputation 2074 Why do so many Europeans smoke cigarettes ?

Because they are STUPID

(from an European who doesn’t smoke cigarettes, only reefers in my salad days…) 02 06 2009, 07 01 AM Scotslass Location Axarquнa, Andalucнa, Spain 2,946 posts, read 4,550,152 times Reputation 1646 As Europe is a continent it depends which country you go to rather than “tarring the whole continent with the same brush” Spain, Italy, France has alot of smokers compared to here.

But you’ll find that not everyone smokes. I myself am disgusted by smoking and would never ever try it. 02 06 2009, 09 01 AM acrylic Location AZ 1,379 posts, read 2,303,392 times Reputation 620 Lots of people in former Yugoslavia smoke. It’s quite saddening. I’ve told a couple of them about how bad it is, and they get so mad and defensive. Including my mom. sigh 02 06 2009, 06 42 PM BRAZILIAN Location Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 565 posts, read 658,224 times Reputation 370 Quote Originally Posted by pigeonhole Why do so many Europeans smoke cigarettes ?

Because they are STUPID

(from an European who doesn’t smoke cigarettes, only reefers in my salad days…) Why stupids my friend? I am not european but I am cigarettes’ smoker and I don’t feel a stupid.I think smoke cigarettes is less dangerous than Drive high speed Parachutes Bung jump Radical sports Smell diesel smoke Heavy traffic Air pollution, water pollution Live near nuclear plant Walk at night (or day) some cities streets Fire guns Politicians Political economistEtc…, Etc…How you can see, have many, many things very much dangerous in the world than Smoke Cigarette. 02 06 2009, 07 27 PM acrylic Location AZ 1,379 posts, read 2,303,392 times Reputation 620 Quote Originally Posted by BRAZILIANWhy stupids my friend? I am not european but I am cigarettes’ smoker and I don’t feel a stupid.I think smoke cigarettes is less dangerous than Drive high speed Parachutes Bung jump Radical sports Smell diesel smoke Heavy traffic Air pollution, water pollution Live near nuclear plant Walk at night (or day) some cities streets Fire guns Politicians Political economistEtc…, Etc…How you can see, have many, many things very much dangerous in the world than Smoke Cigarette. Hmm. No.

You’ll see… it doesn’t per say affect you right away, but when it does, it’ll be a lot worse than sitting in heavy traffic, firing a gun, or anything to do with a politician. You’re just killing yourself slowly. 02 06 2009, 08 17 PM green mariner 23,822 posts, read 18,118,278 times Reputation 6667 I don’t know if this is the case for Europe as a whole, but I read about a case in Germany. It isn’t so much that Americans smoke less than Europeans, but in the USA, smoking in public is frowned upon, but in Europe, smoking in public is accepted, therefore, people will smoke in cafes and the restaurants. 02 06 2009, 08 35 PM K Luv Location Maryland not Murlin 6,878 posts, read 12,330,314 times Reputation 4085 Quote Originally Posted by califantastic Why do so many Europeans smoke cigarettes? Why are Californians so obsessed with health even though they live in one of the most polluted states?

Quote Originally Posted by califantastic Whenever I travel in Europe I am always amazed by the extremely high percentage of Europeans that smoke cigarettes. This seems strange to me considering that people in Europe tend to be better educated and more affluent that people in many other parts of the world. I would think that the more educated and affluent a person is the less likely they would be to smoke. But this is clearly not the case in Europe. The few times that I have been to Europe I didn’t notice an excessive amount of smokers, even when I was in France and Italy. Yes, I saw many smokers, but not any more than I see in the states. The reason why so many Europeans smoke is that it is relatively socially acceptable, and unlike the US, most Europeans do like to have the government tell them how to live, let alone some health nut. Besides, if two world wars, numerous smaller wars and countless uprisings/revolutions were waged in your front yard, back yard and living room, you might be a little bit more relaxed with the idea of smoking. Anyways, to answer your question it is a cultural thing just like how in the South (US) they love to eat excessive amounts of fried and greasy food.

Quote Originally Posted by califantastic A couple explanations I thought of Herd behavior (people in Europe smoke because everyone else does), Europeans do not care as much about their health, they are more concerned with enjoying themselves than living a long healthy life. Herd behavior? That is a pretty ignorant statement.

There is an old George Carlin joke that goes, Eat right, stay fit, and die anyways. A good friend of mine watched his dad pass away of cancer a few years ago. His old man was only in his fifties, eat healthy, played racquet ball a few times a week, never smoked, and blah blah blah. If you are concerned about the ill effects of smoking then I suggest that you do not live in a city. Aside from the general amount of pollutants in the air, car exhaust is just as carcinogenic as cigarets and diesel exhaust contains the most highly carcinogenic substance known to man. Just breathing city air is the equivalent of smoking at least half a pack a day.

Quote Originally Posted by califantastic If you have any opinion or insights into why such a high percentage of Europeans smoke please let me know your thoughts. My thoughts are that Europeans do not smoke any more than anyone else. It is a stereotype and a generalization. 02 06 2009, 10 52 PM orangeapple Location Southern California 2,579 posts, read 3,805,386 times Reputation 3112 There’s some overly defensive smokers in denial in this thread 02 06 2009, 11 03 PM Greatday Location Pinal County, Arizona 25,105 posts, read 21,606,132 times Reputation 4773 I might add that MANY Asians also smoke cigarettes. As do Russians. As do many in South America and Africa. Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.

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